Preview — Spirit Seeker
by Gary Golio

Spirit Seeker: John Coltrane's Musical Journey

Growing up, John was a seeker. He wondered about spirit, and the meaning of life. And whether music could be a key to unlocking those mysteries. Like his grandfather’s preaching and his parents’ songs, could John’s music bring people closer to God? Told in moving prose and powerfully illustrated, this is the story of a shy, curious boy from a deeply religious family who grGrowing up, John was a seeker. He wondered about spirit, and the meaning of life. And whether music could be a key to unlocking those mysteries. Like his grandfather’s preaching and his parents’ songs, could John’s music bring people closer to God? Told in moving prose and powerfully illustrated, this is the story of a shy, curious boy from a deeply religious family who grew up to find solace and inspiration in his own unique approach to both spirituality and music. John Coltrane—a legendary jazz musician whose work shattered boundaries and continues to influence countless artists to this day....more

Community Reviews

Is there any complicated hero with a past so full of darkness that their life cannot be recounted to children? This is the conundrum of any author who takes it upon his or herself to tell the stories of people who didn't grow up happy, live lightly, and die laughing in their beds. The most interesting stories are sometimes the ones about folks who look into the eye of the devil and walk away the wiser. Trouble is, it can be hard to figure out whether or not theirs is a story kids need to know.Is there any complicated hero with a past so full of darkness that their life cannot be recounted to children? This is the conundrum of any author who takes it upon his or herself to tell the stories of people who didn't grow up happy, live lightly, and die laughing in their beds. The most interesting stories are sometimes the ones about folks who look into the eye of the devil and walk away the wiser. Trouble is, it can be hard to figure out whether or not theirs is a story kids need to know. They might love the life of Charlie Chaplin, but do you bring up his penchant for the very young ladies? Bob Marley did great things in his life . . . and consumed great amounts of drugs. Do you talk to kids about him? In the end, it all comes down to the skill of the biographer. The person who sits down and turns a great man or woman into a 32-48 page subject, appropriate for kids too young to watch PG-13 films on their own. To do it adequately is admirable. To do it brilliantly, as it's done in Spirit Seeker: John Coltrane's Musical Journey is worthy of higher praise.

He led as perfect a childhood as any African-American kid in the late 1930s could hope for. A loving family, two grandfather preachers, a great musician for a dad, the works. But all that came before the deaths. First his grandfather, then his father, then his grandmother too. Things grew dark for John, but an opportunity to learn the saxophone for free arose. It became John's new religion, and the void inside him was easily filled by drugs and alcohol. He was brilliant at the instrument but was his own worst enemy when his addictions held sway. Golio tells the tale of how one young man bucked his fate and went on to become a leader in more ways than one. An Afterward, Author's Note, Artist's Note, and Sources and Resources appear at the end.

In any picture book biography (and this applies to bio pics on the silver screen too) the author needs to determine whether or not they're going to try to cover the wide swath of their subject's life, or if they're going to select a single incident or turning point in that life and use that as the basis of their interpretation. Golio almost has it both ways. He's certainly more in the wide swath camp, his book extending from John the child to John the successful and happy (relatively) adult. But within that storyline Golio takes care to build on certain images and themes. Reading through it you come to understand that he is showing how a happy child can become a brilliant but cursed young man, and then can escape his own personal demons, inspiring others even as he inspires himself. Under Golio's hand Coltrane's early exposure to religion reverberates every time he seeks out more spiritual knowledge, regardless of the sect. He loses so many people he loves (to say nothing of financial stability) then grows up to become the perfect melding of both his grandfather and his father.

Just as Golio builds on repeating images and themes in his text, so too does artist Rudy Gutierrez make a go of it in his art. The author/artist pairing on picture book is so often a case of an author writing a story, handing it over to their editor, that editor assigning it to an illustrator, and the illustrator working on the piece without any interaction with its original creator. It seems like a kind of crazy way to make great picture books, and many times the art and the text won't meld as beautifully as they could. Then you'll see a book like Spirit Seeker and though I know that "Gary Golio" is not a pseudonym for "Rudy Gutierrez" (or vice-versa) it sure feels like the two slaved together over each double-paged spread. I suppose the bulk of that credit lies with Gutierrez, all fairness to Golio's text admitted. Gutierrez explains in his Artist's Note at the end of the book that Coltrane was such an "artistic angel" to him that he fasted for two weeks so as to best focus, meditate, pray and paint this book. The result is a product that looks as though someone cared and cared deeply about the subject matter.

Mind you, the book will do kids and adults little good unless they like Gutierrez's style. I happen to find it remarkable. He strikes the perfect balance between the literal and allegorical representation of certain aspects of Coltrane's life. Some artists fall too far on one side or the other of that equation. Gutierrez isn't afraid to attempt both at once. You've the energy of his lines trying to replicate the energy of the music, John's grandfather's preaching, his spiritual journey, etc. There are moments when you can actually sit a kid down and ask them something like, "What do you think it means when that single curving line moves from John's father's violin to his son's heart?" At the same time, you know that Gutierrez is doing a stand up and cheer job of replicating the faces of the real people in this book time and time again. The melding of the two, sad to say, does turn a certain type of reader off. Fortunately I think that a close rereading can allay most fears.

In my own case, it took several rereadings before I began to pick up on Gutierrez's repeated tropes. Golio begins the book with a description of John sitting in his grandfather's church, his mother at the organ, the words of the sermon making a deep and lasting impression. That passage is recalled near the end of the book when John does his own form of "preaching" with his horn. As the text says, he was, "a holy man, shouting out his love of man to the whole human race." You could be forgiven for not at first noticing that the image of John's grandfather at the start of the book, hunched over a pulpit, the curve of his body lending itself to the curve of his words, is recalled in the very similar image of John's and his saxophone, the curve of HIS body lending itself to the curve of his saxaphone's music near the book's end. Notice that and you start jumping back to see what else might have passed you by. The image of the dove (my favorite of these being when John meets Naima and two doves' tails swirl to almost become a white rose). There's so much to see in each page that you could reread this book twenty different times and make twenty different discoveries in the art alone.

I've mentioned earlier that there are some folks that don't care for Gutierrez's style. Nothing to be done about that. It's the folks that object to doing an honest bio of Coltrane in the first place that give me the willies. I have honestly heard folks object to this story because it discusses John's drug use. And it does. No question. You see the days when his deep sadness caused him to start drinking early on. You see his experiments with drugs and the idea some musicians harbored that it would make them better. But by the same token it would be a pretty lackadaisical reader to fail to notice that drugs and alcohol are the clear villains of the piece. Gutierrez does amazing things with these light and dark aspects of John's personality. On the one hand he might be looking at the symbols of countless world religions. Then on the facing page is an opposite silhouette of John, the borders little more than the frightening red crayon scratchings of a lost soul. Read the book and you discover what he did to free himself from his trap. Golio even goes so far as to include a lengthy and in-depth "Author's Note: Musicians and Drug Use" to clarify any points that might confuse a young reader. Let's just say, all the bases are covered here. These two guys know what they are doing.

If there is any aspect of the design of the book that makes me grind my teeth to a fine powder it's the typeface of the text. I'm not a typeface nerd. Comic Sans does not strike a chord of loathing in my heart as it does with others. That said, I do harbor a very strong dislike of this horrendous LA Headlights BTN they chose to set this story in. It fails utterly to complement the writing or the tone or the art in any way, shape, or form and makes the reading process distinctly unpleasant. They say that in some cultures artists will include a single flaw in a work because otherwise that piece would be perfect and only God is true perfection. With that in mind, I'll consider this the single flaw that keeps Spirit Seeker from attaining a higher calling.

The reason Coltrane works as well as he does as a subject is that his is a story of redemption. Not just the redemption of a life freed from the power of drugs and alcohol, but a spiritual redemption and reawakening as well. It would pair beautifully with books like Malcolm X A Fire Burning Brightly by Walter Dean Myers which perfectly complement this idea. It is the only real picture book bio of Coltrane worth considering, and a kind of living work of art as well. Melding great text with imagery that goes above and beyond the call of duty, this is one biography that truly does its subject justice. Complex in all the right ways.

“After joining the high school band, John took his horn everywhere. Music made him happy, and it seemed like what he was meant to do with his life.“As he listened to Johnny Hodges – a musician in Duke Ellington’s band with a sound soft as velvet – John felt the sax become more a part of him. He loved the clicking of the keys, the feel of the mRichie’s Picks: SPIRIT SEEKER: JOHN COLTRANE’S MUSICAL JOURNEY by Gary Golio and Rudy Gutierrez, ill., Clarion, October 2012, 48p., ISBN: 978-0-547-23994-1

“After joining the high school band, John took his horn everywhere. Music made him happy, and it seemed like what he was meant to do with his life.“As he listened to Johnny Hodges – a musician in Duke Ellington’s band with a sound soft as velvet – John felt the sax become more a part of him. He loved the clicking of the keys, the feel of the mouthpiece between his lips and teeth, the shine of the brass, and the way it sat on his chest, close to his heart.“As he practiced for hours in the music room, his clear, warm notes floated through the school.“Shy and quiet, he let the horn become his voice.”

I’m sitting here, immersed in “Blue Trane,” which I’m playing on YouTube.

I’ve always been moved by the sounds that flow from saxophones. Back as a child in the mid-sixties, when we had the opportunity at school to begin learning an instrument, saxophone was the only one in which I had an interest. Unfortunately, someone told my mother that it would have a detrimental impact upon my bite and so my request to rent that instrument and learn to play was denied. (It was one of those very rare instances in which I felt that one of my mother’s decisions was misguided.)

A decade later, when I graduated high school and went away to college, my parents relocated to the East End of Long Island. It was there, during the following summer, that I met Arthur Webb, a high school kid with a passion for jazz and an extensive collection of John Coltrane LPs. It was thanks to lots of nights spent with Arthur and those LPs that I have a permanent place in my heart for John Coltrane.

“I urged the other band members to listen closely to the music of John Coltrane, especially his classic quartet, in which the band would take fairly simple structures ('My Favorite Things', for example) and extend them far beyond their original length with fantastical variations, frequently based on only one chord.”Phil Lesh, from his autobiography, SEARCHING FOR THE SOUND: MY LIFE WITH THE GRATEFUL DEAD. (Many online biographies of Jerry Garcia list Coltrane as one of Jerry’s greatest personal and musical influences.)

For years now, I have been teaching a class on picture books for older readers. SPIRIT SEEKER, a masterful picture book into which author Gary Golio weaves sophisticated concepts about such issues as death, spirituality, and drug addiction is a truly outstanding example of such books.

Illustrator Rudy Gutierrez does his own weaving, his illustrations flowing across pages as he visualizes the music, the joy, the sadness, the spirituality, and the struggling to soar that permeated the musician’s life. There are images of the musicians Coltrane listened to as a youngster and played with as an adult; images depicting the Jim Crow world in which he lived; and powerfully uplifting images of the musician who emerged from the depths of addiction.

If you don’t have some Coltrane CDs at hand, take advantage of the technology. Bring up YouTube and listen to Miles and Coltrane doing “Bye Bye Blackbird” at the ’58 Newport Jazz Festival. Listen to the title track from Coltrane’s “Giant Steps,” or to his rendition of “Greensleeves.”

Nearly half a century after Coltrane’s demise at a young age, there are really good reasons why our children need this notable book about this seminal musician.

In this new book by author Gary Golio, he adds John Coltrane to his growing collection of picture book biographies of musical greats. Earlier books profiled Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan. While these musicians might not seem like typical fodder for children's picture books, this format, with its striking and inspirational illustrations, is in fact ideal for stimulating young people's interests in these iconic musicians.

The book's title page features the following quote from Coltrane: "My music isIn this new book by author Gary Golio, he adds John Coltrane to his growing collection of picture book biographies of musical greats. Earlier books profiled Jimi Hendrix and Bob Dylan. While these musicians might not seem like typical fodder for children's picture books, this format, with its striking and inspirational illustrations, is in fact ideal for stimulating young people's interests in these iconic musicians.

The book's title page features the following quote from Coltrane: "My music is the spiritual expression of what I am...I want to speak to their souls." We first meet John Coltrane as a young boy, in North Carolina in 1938, listening to his grandfather preaching on a Sunday morning about the power of the Spirit. John's life was "like a little slice of heaven," with plenty of food, games, and a loving family surrounding him. His father, an amateur musician, filled the house with his singing and tunes from his ukulele and violin.

But at the age of 12, John lost his two grandfathers, his grandmother, and his father in rapid succession. Turning to music for consolation, he was fortunate to receive a used alto sax, which he soon took everywhere, practicing for hours and hours. Moving to Philadelphia, he began playing with big bands and blues groups, and absorbing the music of jazz greats like Charlie "Bird" Parker. Although he was achieving success, life on the road was lonely, and John turned to alcohol and drugs for company, turning away from his spiritual underpinnings. Soon "he had to choose, between the dead end of drugs or a life rich with music." Will he find the strength to get clean and regain his inspiration?

Golio's narrative features Coltrane's spiritual journey front and center, in which he used music in his attempt to "unlock the mysteries of life." Coltrane's spiritual explorations culminated with his masterpiece, A Love Supreme, which Golio poetically describes as the "song of the human heart reaching up to heaven."

In addition to being an accomplished author, Golio is a licensed therapist who specializes in treating addiction problems, which may be part of the reason he feels comfortable interpreting the stories of musicians such as Coltrane and Hendrix for young people. The book's afterword includes a note on musicians and drug use, in which Golio explains that while musicians are no different from other people who use alcohol and drugs to deal with their emotions, they may be even more vulnerable to addiction due to the demands of touring and performing and the belief many artists have that drugs can make a person more "free" or "creative."

Golio has a gift for expressing music with words, just as Coltrane turned feelings into sounds. But it is impossible to discuss this work without highlighting the outstanding illustration by Rudy Gutierrez, a Pura Belpre Honor-winning artist who has also designed album covers and clearly has an affinity for music. In an artist's note, he explains that he fasted for two weeks and meditated, much as Coltrane did when he composed A Love Supreme, to seek inspiration for illustrating Golio's tribute to Coltrane. The illustrations include acrylic paintings and mixed media pieces done with colored pencils, crayons, and acrylics. The dream-like compositions, dramatic movements and use of contrasting and complementary colors evoke the energy of Coltrane's music. ...more

This biography of the great jazz musician John Coltrane (also known as "Trane") jumps out at you from the shelves because of the spectacularly arresting illustrations by Rudy Gutierrez. The mixed media pieces combine actual pictures of Coltrane with vibrant swirling lines and colors that ably convey music and mood.

The focus of the story is on Coltrane’s struggles on the one hand, and his spiritual devotion on the other. Born in 1926, John “had a very sweet life.” But when he was 12, his father,This biography of the great jazz musician John Coltrane (also known as "Trane") jumps out at you from the shelves because of the spectacularly arresting illustrations by Rudy Gutierrez. The mixed media pieces combine actual pictures of Coltrane with vibrant swirling lines and colors that ably convey music and mood.

The focus of the story is on Coltrane’s struggles on the one hand, and his spiritual devotion on the other. Born in 1926, John “had a very sweet life.” But when he was 12, his father, uncle, and grandparents all died, and the surviving family members were profoundly affected. John, his mother, and his aunt had to take job at a “whites-only” country club in town and rent out their house to boarders. John listened to music to feel close to his father, who had played a number of instruments.

When John started high school, a black pastor organized a community band, and John picked up an alto sax. Finally, he felt alive again. The author writes, “Shy and quiet, he let the horn become his voice.”

After high school, the family moved, and John left for Philadelphia, “a city brimming with jazz and blues.” His Mama bought him his own sax, and he loved it so much he even slept with it. He began to play with groups. Going on tour, he felt lonely and alienated, and started drinking and using drugs. His mother and his wife Naima helped him get free of his addictions, and with their help and a return to spirituality, he began to realize personal and professional success.

He died at age 40 in 1967. The author, in an Afterword, writes that he died “from liver cancer that may have been related to his early alcohol and drug use.” Yet, he also notes:

“...it was his commitment to sobriety, for the last ten years of his life, that allowed him to pursue his spiritual vision and to create some of the most enduring music in the field of jazz.”

Evaluation: This is a lovely and sensitive book about a great artist who was a major influence on jazz. Coltrane’s saxophone playing revolutionized jazz music and his influence can still be heard today not only in jazz but in the music of rock and hi-hop artists. In 2007, Coltrane was awarded the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation for his "masterful improvisation, supreme musicianship and iconic centrality to the history of jazz. His is a story worth knowing, and this book is beautifully done....more

Rudy Gutierrez's stunning mixed media illustrations flow and swirl across the pages-- evoking the fluid beauty of Coltrane's music. An outstanding biography about an influential musician unknown to many children.

It was Gutierrez' manic fauvre illustration that made this book move--my son sat and looked at pp 32-33 for a long time. The pictures prompted me to get online and listen to something new. I looked at the Expression album, and the music is just wildly abstract--"Offering" and "To Be".

The text delivered a fairly straight biography, with an unwavering line toward Coltrane's religious enlightenment. That was what Golio chose as the story to tell. He chose to do the full life from childhood up. Hm.It was Gutierrez' manic fauvre illustration that made this book move--my son sat and looked at pp 32-33 for a long time. The pictures prompted me to get online and listen to something new. I looked at the Expression album, and the music is just wildly abstract--"Offering" and "To Be".

The text delivered a fairly straight biography, with an unwavering line toward Coltrane's religious enlightenment. That was what Golio chose as the story to tell. He chose to do the full life from childhood up. Hm. This story may have worked better as a 'slice' out of the larger life, as so many biographers are doing, so he could have gone for depth in exploring why and how.

Golio was absolutely un-shy about the difficult content of alcohol and drug abuse, which was admirable. But at the same time the straightforward explanations of why a person turns to drugs sounded a little like advice. I give Golio the benefit of the doubt. I'd rather have a book bring up issues like this for people to discuss--and this text is built more for a read-aloud than for a kid to sit down alone. ...more

This picture book for older readers is a powerful illustrated journey into the heart and soul of John Coltrane. Unlike some other works, this book does not shy away from either his religious side or his substance abuse. It puts both in context in his life, and talks about some of the reasons why people turn to substance abuse after personal tragedies.More importantly, though, it talks about his life story, and the paths that led him from home to the peak of stardom, down to the bottom and back aThis picture book for older readers is a powerful illustrated journey into the heart and soul of John Coltrane. Unlike some other works, this book does not shy away from either his religious side or his substance abuse. It puts both in context in his life, and talks about some of the reasons why people turn to substance abuse after personal tragedies.More importantly, though, it talks about his life story, and the paths that led him from home to the peak of stardom, down to the bottom and back again before his short life ended at the age of 40.The author, who also wrote the wonderful Sounds Like a Rainbow about Jimi Hendrix, uses solid imagery to explain the musical sounds of Coltrane.I suggest that readers be given the chance to listen to some of Coltrane's classic pieces of music while just looking at the artwork, which is worth a separate pass through the pages. Rudy Gutierrez creates very busy pieces of art, but they're very interesting. Younger kids might not like them, but older ones will see all sorts of things on these pages....more

Filled with memorable acrylic and mixed media illustrations created with colored pencils, crayons, and acrylics that swirl about the pages in mesmerizing fashion, this picture book biography traces the influences on jazz musician John Coltrane. Music and religion were important throughout his life, and the author describes his struggles with alcohol and drugs, and how he lost his way after the deaths of many family members and later as a professional musician. But through it all, Coltrane hasFilled with memorable acrylic and mixed media illustrations created with colored pencils, crayons, and acrylics that swirl about the pages in mesmerizing fashion, this picture book biography traces the influences on jazz musician John Coltrane. Music and religion were important throughout his life, and the author describes his struggles with alcohol and drugs, and how he lost his way after the deaths of many family members and later as a professional musician. But through it all, Coltrane has his music, and eventually, he was able to tie his music to his own religious beliefs, fashioned after much reading and soul-searching. An Afterword and Notes from the Author and Illustrator provide additional background to the story, heightening readers' interest in this talented man who died at 40. Add this one to the equally appealing musician biographies by the same author, Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow and When Bob Met Woody. ...more

This is a gripping biography picture book about the life of John Coltrane's musical journey from childhood through adulthood. Amazingly told and beautifully illustrated. The mixed media paintings that illumine the text bring to life the dulcet tones of Coltrane's music and improvisations that made hime famous. The colors employed by Rudy Gutierrez reflect the joyful and dark times of Coltrane's storied career. The combination of text and illustration make this a picture appropriate for childrenThis is a gripping biography picture book about the life of John Coltrane's musical journey from childhood through adulthood. Amazingly told and beautifully illustrated. The mixed media paintings that illumine the text bring to life the dulcet tones of Coltrane's music and improvisations that made hime famous. The colors employed by Rudy Gutierrez reflect the joyful and dark times of Coltrane's storied career. The combination of text and illustration make this a picture appropriate for children of all ages. Young readers will be captivated by the illustrations while older readers will see the illustrations as a means of going beyond the text into the world, joys, triumphs, and struggles Coltrane faced. This is a musical and visual feast for allthose interested in learning more about the life and career o John Coltrane....more

This book is a truthful picture book biography of John Coltrane. It does not shy away from the bad things in his life (loss of father and grandparents at an early age as well as the drug and alcohol abuse of his later years), but it does not dwell on them either. This book shows the trials and the triumphs of Coltrane's life, and it focuses on the triumphs - the loving childhood, the passion of his music, the hard work, the learning, the strength to overcome his addictions, his spiritualityThis book is a truthful picture book biography of John Coltrane. It does not shy away from the bad things in his life (loss of father and grandparents at an early age as well as the drug and alcohol abuse of his later years), but it does not dwell on them either. This book shows the trials and the triumphs of Coltrane's life, and it focuses on the triumphs - the loving childhood, the passion of his music, the hard work, the learning, the strength to overcome his addictions, his spirituality (without becoming preachy). This book will help convince kids to give Coltrane's music a try....more

Wow. This is absolutely gorgeous. The art just sings. It's a synesthetic experience -- the colors, the movement, the framing all have a melody and rhythm. And it's joined perfectly with the text to fuse a terrific telling of the story of jazz great John Coltrane.

I had to read this twice. And I may have to actually buy a copy of it to savor at my leisure. And do this while enjoying a glass of good wine and listening to Coltrane's music.

Spirit Seeker wows with illustrations that speak to the reader, I wish the format could be smaller to attract an older readers. The book has a powerful message about finding a spiritual path and the difficult process of recovery from addiction. The illustrations are some of the most beautiful illustration I have seen in a Children's book. This books is available or check out from the Gadsden County Public Library.

"John watched papa turn feelings into sound... Shy and quiet, he let his horn become his voice." This book is beautifully written, and is probably for an adult audience, as the themes of darkness, depression, addiction, and hopelessness are heavy but real and poetically, emotionally written. The book is very much a mixture of meta-spirituality and music. The artwork is wonderfully colorful and strangely wild and abstract.

John Coltrane was called to heights of faith, raised to mountaintops by music, and driven to depths by loss and addiction. His life swirled like the notes of his saxophone in the chaotic birth of jazz. This book, in a spare forty pages of tight language and lush illustrations, will make you FEEL the man and his music.

While I found this picture book/biography on John Coltrane entertaining and informative I don't know if most kids would relate to this, or enjoy. From a resource book report standpoint for students, this would be an easy to follow, not overwhelming with facts format. This book should have come with a cd with at least 1 of Mr. Coltrane’s songs.

Incredibly beautiful illustrations. Good overview of Coltrane's life and music in 39 pages. Does not shy from the drug use in Coltrane's life, but also doesn't dwell on it. I would have liked a bit less of his early life and a bit more of his Giant Steps to Ascension development. Solid thumbs up overall.

Gorgeous art: mixed media, very "jazzy", which reflects Coltrane's moods with vibrant color, bold abstract shapes, and words flowing together. Has great author's note filling in details of his life and also a "note on musicians and drug use" which explains that topic well for children; doesn't apologize for or excuse him.

Not a typical bio - focuses on one or two aspects of Coltrane's life - primarily his search for the Spirit in his music. Honest about his use of alcohol and drugs and his detoxing at home. An afterward discusses his alcohol and drug use as well. The art not my style, but interesting layered pictures that attempt to convey the feel of the music.

Many times these types of picture books are mediocre text surrounded by inspirational art-work. In this case the art is fantastic and the storyline is well done in a creative and truthful way...job well done!

Gorgeous book that soulfully captures Coltrane's life and work. The illustrations are incredible and I had to admit that although I knew a lot about his music I didn't know a lot about his life. This is perfect for classroom sharing and works just as well for adults.

Gary Golio is the author of several best-selling and award-winning musical picture-book biographies, including Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow, When Bob Met Woody, and Spirit Seeker: John Coltrane’s Musical Journey. Gary Golio lives in Hudson Valley, New York.